The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has disputed the government’s assertion that the country’s fight against illegal mining has reached a turning point, warning that continued environmental degradation is undermining Ghana’s water security, energy infrastructure, agriculture and long-term economic development.
Reviewing the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Accountability Series presentation, the coalition said although some progress has been made, the country remains far from achieving the “sustained, fearless and uniform enforcement” needed to protect forests, rivers and mining communities.
CAGG argued that illegal mining continues to threaten strategic national assets, including the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, which supplies water to more than five million Ghanaians, the Cape Three Points ecosystem, the Bui Hydroelectric Dam catchment area and several forest reserves facing growing encroachment.
While commending the Cabinet’s decision to revoke Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, as amended by E.I. 234, which had removed portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve from protected status, the coalition described the move as a “bold and decisive” decision that placed “citizens’ wellbeing” and “intergenerational benefit” ahead of “short-term political expediency.”
However, it cautioned that reversing the executive instrument alone would not resolve the broader crisis, stressing that “a cleared red zone is not the same as a safe forest.”
According to the coalition, most forest reserves remain under “vicious encroachment” by illegal miners, while the Forestry Commission lacks the resources to confront the scale of the challenge. It renewed calls for the government to provide additional personnel, equipment and protected camps while accelerating plans to declare Atewa a national park.
CAGG also strongly rejected the ministry’s conclusion that the “era of impunity is over,” insisting that “the evidence on the ground says otherwise.”
It cited continued illegal mining activities across the Eastern Region, including Apedwa Junction, Anyinam and Osino, arguing that farmers and landowners along the Birim, Densu and Ayensu rivers remain exposed to the “destructive and intimidating activities” of illegal miners.
The coalition questioned what it described as “selective enforcement,” asking why some mining hotspots appear to receive “kid gloves” while illegal activities persist around critical national assets, including the Bui Hydroelectric Dam and Lake Bosomtwe. It said continued mining near these sites demonstrates that impunity remains entrenched.
CAGG further called on all mining district assemblies to establish barriers to monitor excavator movements and suspend fuel sales to illegal operators, arguing that this represents an “important stop gap” missing from current enforcement efforts.
It also accused the National Petroleum Authority of “reneging on its regulatory mandate” by failing to effectively halt fuel supplies to illegal mining operators despite previous assurances.
The coalition raised concerns over the operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), acknowledging its record of more than 200 operations but questioning whether enforcement has been carried out “without fear or favour.”
It urged the agency to address allegations of “selective enforcement” and reports that confiscated equipment may have been returned after unofficial payments, describing such claims, if proven, as “shameful” and an affront to the agency’s mandate.
CAGG said the deployment of more than 2,000 Blue Water Guards represents a welcome investment, but warned that recruiting additional personnel would achieve little if the Police and NAIMOS are not prepared to “respond swiftly” to reports from the field.
The coalition criticised what it called an “uncollaborative approach” by sections of the Ghana Police Service, saying perceptions of inaction and possible complicity risk undermining confidence in the national fight against illegal mining.
On policy reforms, CAGG welcomed the government’s pledge to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), but insisted the legislation must introduce stronger safeguards for forests, water bodies and mining communities.
It warned that any revised law that fails to guarantee these protections would be “as good as dead” and urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to publish the Cabinet-approved draft to facilitate public scrutiny before Parliament considers the bill.
The coalition also expressed concern over the absence of prosecutions involving alleged illegal mining kingpins and politically exposed persons despite earlier government commitments, while calling for the publication of regular water-quality data, state-of-rivers reports and updates on prosecutions.
According to CAGG, greater transparency is necessary to ensure future government accountability is measured by “evidence rather than assertion,” while reaffirming its readiness to work with authorities to strengthen enforcement and protect Ghana’s natural resources and economic future.
